Todt Says Australia Must Stay in F1

Here's another episode of the Jean Todt versus Bernie Ecclestone dispute at the helm of the motor racing world. While present Melbourne for a road safety campaign one week before the season opening round in the Great Circus, the president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) told reporters that Australia cannot miss out from the Formula 1 calendar.

In recent months, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has had a harsh exchange of words with the officials of the Victorian city, threatening to keep the race at Albert Park outside the Great Circus in case the Aussies continue to complain about the high fees of the race. Earlier this year, Ecclestone had told the media that the sport “does not need” Australia.

“Formula One is not essential,” admitted Todt recently, according to the Associated Press, when comparing the Great Circus to road safety campaigns worldwide.

“It is a sport and it is important, and if Formula One does exist I think it is important to have one race in Australia because Australia is among the biggest nations in the world. Australia has been doing a great job together with people from (motor racing federation) CAMS.”

“They have put Australia among the best Grands Prix in the season. Melbourne is a sensational venue with nice people, and when I arrived yesterday, I was thinking how good Melbourne is for Formula One.”

The Australian Grand Prix has been part of Formula 1 ever since 1985, but has been held on the Albert Park circuit starting the 1996 campaign.